Hardware Engineer

Bedrock Robotics, Inc. seeks a Hardware Engineer in San Francisco, CA responsible for designing, manufacturing, and testing its autonomous hardware systems, including high performance computer systems, sensors, controllers, interfaces to machines, and testing equipment.

This position will work with autonomous hardware systems installed on standard heavy construction machinery—excavators, bulldozers, and wheel loaders—to allow that equipment to perform earthmoving work on construction sites autonomously. In this context, “autonomous hardware systems” are the physical electronic components installed on a construction machine that allow it to operate without a human operator in the cab.

They consist of: high-performance computer systems (ruggedized onboard computers mounted on the machine that perform the calculations required for autonomous operation); sensors (devices that allow the machine to perceive its surroundings, including cameras, radar, lidar, and GNSS); controllers and interfaces (electronic units that translate the computer's decisions into electrical signals that operate the machine's existing hydraulic, steering, and engine controls); and testing equipment (benches, fixtures, and instrumentation used to verify each of the above components before and after installation on a machine).

Working together, these systems continuously collect sensor data, determine the machine's position and what is around it, calculate the path the machine should follow and the movements it should make, and then command the machine's controls to carry out those movements, performing the tasks a human operator would otherwise perform manually.

Specific duties include

(i) defining and designing hardware systems, including component-level architecture for autonomous machines and camera/optics design and performance; (ii) establishing and leading relationships and programs with external vendors to facilitate hardware manufacturing and delivery; (iii) supporting hardware system verification and validation, including working with safety teams to establish/tune requirements and performance metrics for components and systems; (iv) using industry standard tools and knowledge to test standards of hardware systems; and (v) writing reusable, high quality sensor data analysis and testing automation software.

This is a hybrid office-based/work-from-home position within the United States. The employee can work remotely from within the United States but must be able to work in the San Francisco office at least three (3) days per week.

Must have a bachelor’s degree (or foreign equivalent) in Electrical Engineering, Robotics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a directly related field plus five (5) years of progressively responsible, post-baccalaureate experience in designing, integrating, and validating electrical hardware systems.

Must have any experience with: (i) high performance computer systems, including x86 or ARM; (ii) robotics sensors stacks, including lidar, radar, camera, or GNSS; (iii) communication protocols and technologies, including CAN, LIN, J1939, FlexRay, or Ethernet; (iv) python or C++/C/Rust; and (v) standardization tools and organizations, including ISO, SAE, and ANSI.

Must be willing and able to travel regionally/nationally up to 15%, to visit hardware testing sites.

Experience can be concurrent.